Detroit Island Phragmites Control Program

The Door County Soil and Water Conservation Department (SWCD) and the Detroit Island Landowners Association are preparing to tackle a growing Phragmites australis problem on approximately 10 miles of Detroit Island shoreline.

Detroit Island, a 3.5-mile long, 637-acre island located just south of Washington Island, is a unique and diverse habitat for many plant and animal species, and is known as one of the most productive areas for spawning Smallmouth Bass.

Recent surveys have counted at least 125 separate Phragmites colonies that are quickly expanding and displacing native vegetation. An herbicide treatment will be applied by a certified applicator in late August or early September.

This project has received financial assistance from the Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership Inc. (www.lnrp.org), the Detroit Island Landowners Association, and in-kind contributions from the Door County Invasive Species Team, (http://map.co.door.wi.us/swcd/Invasive/index.htm); and the Door County Soil & Water Conservation Department, (http://map.co.door.wi.us/swcd/).